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Israel Maps Lebanon Buffer Zone, Intensifies Ops Despite Ceasefire

Israel's military has published a detailed map of a proposed "buffer zone" extending kilometers into southern Lebanese territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have stated Israeli troops will not withdraw from the area, despite a temporary US-announced ceasefire. The zone forms a continuous belt from the Mediterranean to the Syrian border, encompassing villages and ridge lines north of key towns. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces reportedly intensified operations in southern Lebanon on Sunday, demolishing homes and patrolling devastated areas.

Key Points: Israel's Lebanon Buffer Zone Map Amid Ceasefire

  • Map shows continuous zone from coast to Syrian border
  • PM and Defence Minister vow no troop withdrawal
  • Zone reaches north of key towns like Bint Jbeil
  • Operations intensify despite ceasefire
  • Lebanon and Syria reject the move
2 min read

Israel releases map of 'buffer zone' extending across Lebanon, intensifies operations despite ceasefire

Israel releases map of a broad buffer zone in southern Lebanon, vowing not to withdraw troops despite a temporary US-brokered ceasefire.

"Israel will not withdraw its troops from the area, despite a temporary ceasefire - Israeli Officials"

Jerusalem, April 20

Israel's military released a map of a "buffer zone" it is working to establish in southern Lebanon, showing a broad area extending several kilometers inside Lebanese territory and forming a continuous belt from Lebanon's Mediterranean territorial waters to the Mount Hermon area near the Syrian border.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have said that Israel will not withdraw its troops from the area, despite a temporary ceasefire that took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday local time (2100 GMT). Katz also said that Israel would level houses and buildings in the zone, comparing it to actions in the Gaza Strip, and warned that Israeli forces would kill anyone deemed a Hezbollah member, Xinhua news agency reported.

Five divisions, alongside naval forces, are currently operating in Lebanese territory to establish what it calls a "Forward Defense Line," aimed at "thwarting direct threats to communities of northern Israel," the military said in a statement.

The map includes a maritime segment off the Naqoura-Ras al-Bayada coastline, indicating a naval component.

The buffer zone reaches north of key cities and towns including Bint Jbeil, Aita al-Shaab, and Khiam, and extends to the Litani River in some sectors, encompassing multiple villages and ridge lines. Lebanon and Syria have not accepted the move.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces intensified military operations in southern Lebanon on Sunday, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).

In Bint Jbeil, forces continued demolishing homes to "clear the security zone," with tanks patrolling the heavily devastated city. Troops also detonated houses in al-Bayada and al-Naqoura, blocked roads using earth mounds, and shelled the town of Kounine.

There was no immediate Israeli comment.

The map was released three days after Washington announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which had been engaged in deadly fighting since early March. During a previous ceasefire that began in November 2024, Israel continued near-daily strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
As an Indian, watching this from afar is heartbreaking. The civilians in those villages must be terrified. Demolishing homes and creating "security zones" on foreign soil... this is not the path to peace. The ceasefire seems to be just on paper. 🙏
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Aman W
The map extending to the Litani River is very significant. This is a major land grab under the guise of security. While Israel has a right to defend itself, occupying another nation's territory cannot be the solution. The international community's silence is deafening.
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Sarah B
"Forward Defense Line" sounds like a permanent occupation. Comparing actions to Gaza is chilling. The cycle of violence just continues. My heart goes out to all the innocent people caught in the middle.
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Vikram M
With all due respect to Israel's security concerns, this approach is counterproductive. It will only create more resentment and fuel the next conflict. A true buffer zone should be negotiated and monitored by UNIFIL or neutral parties, not unilaterally imposed by force. India has always advocated for dialogue and peaceful resolution.
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Kriti O
The timing is telling. Announcing a 10-day ceasefire and then intensifying operations and releasing this map? It shows a lack of good faith. The people of Lebanon deserve sovereignty and peace. This is so sad.

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